Air New Zealand Air Points - Just joined Koru Club - any tips?

Hey all,

I've just received a Koru Club membership and I'm pleased as punch (even though I'll be just 40 miles short of bmi *A gold after my flights tomorrow and I'll get that pretty soon).

I've been leafing through the bumpf that arrived in the post today describing the benefits. I was just wondering if there were any *hidden* or less well known benefits / tips that anyone would like to share with me? PM if necessary.

I'm based in Wellington if that makes a difference.

Cheers :)

Well, the main benefit is the 20+ types of beer in the WLG club, as documented by Kiwi Flyer the other day.

No hidden benefits that I have encountered, unless you'd call help with rebookings etc during stikes/bad weather a hidden benefit.

Anyone ever use the Valet Parking? The vouchers troll around the bottom of my travel wallet with the baht and roubles and then expire... so I guess I should pull finger sometime and use them.

Is it a case of just turning up and handing over vouchers, or are there additional charges/tips/NZ GE card?

Most importantly, is the service any good?

Just the obvious one that when things go bung (when travelling NZ) you have an extra avenue to sort things out - inside Koru Club or on the phone line.

1) In irregular operations (or even lost baggage's) call the lounge direct and have them sort it out
2) If you want 2 seats to yourself, do likewise
3) Published, but not widely known - have your agent reserve you, far forward seats (can NZ*S do this ?)

Make sure you get your priority tags, so your bags aren't offloaded in the event of a full flight.

Of course, Star Gold get's this all anyway - I just hope that you personally aren't out of pocket for buying Koru Club membership.

As for the parking stewardo - no additional charges or tips required; but those vouchers require you to be NZ*E (otherwise they'd be expired ?)

Of course, Star Gold get's this all anyway - I just hope that you personally aren't out of pocket for buying Koru Club membership.



Nope :)

Contracting at the moment, and I fished Koru Club membership out of the small print.

Well, the main benefit is the 20+ types of beer in the WLG club, as documented by Kiwi Flyer the other day.

Only managed a couple today :D

3) Published, but not widely known - have your agent reserve you, far forward seats (can NZ*S do this ?)It depends. I've seen it mentioned that NZ*S can reserve 'elite seats'. However, in practise I could never get them assigned by Reservations - it was "Are you Koru/Star Gold/Gold Elite?". Checkin agents would do it, and did seem to recognize it as an NZ*S benefit.

Another example of NZ not treating their *S very well, IMHO. Very inconsistent.

Priority seating is not a Silver or even a Gold official benefit.

Airpoints elite benefits (http://www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints/frequent_flyer_benefits/default.htm)

Priority seating is not a Silver or even a Gold official benefit.It is however a Koru benefit (https://airnz.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/airnz.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1049), which you get by virtue of being NZ*G.

Reservations have specifically stated Gold/Gold Elite/Koru; and I'm sure I've read it that it should apply for Silver as well. YMMV, and it's entirely conceivable I imagined it.

Priority seating is not a Silver or even a Gold official benefit.

Airpoints elite benefits (http://www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints/frequent_flyer_benefits/default.htm)Just because something is not listed on the website does not mean it isn't an official benefit - take priority phone numbers and the premium service team for example...

Star Silver members should be able to receive seating in all areas of the aircraft, including those marked 'NV' (VIP customers). It may not be an official benefit, but it is available for Silvers. If Reservations say it's not possible, ask them to try it.

Star Silver members should be able to receive seating in all areas of the aircraft, including those marked 'NV' (VIP customers). It may not be an official benefit, but it is available for Silvers. If Reservations say it's not possible, ask them to try it.Thanks nz_crew, it is what I'd thought. I had tried it when NZ*S and didn't get anywhere particularly fast, but not a big deal for me now. Also, I think it was in one of the printed guide books at one stage, but I'm really not too sure.

Star Silver members should be able to receive seating in all areas of the aircraft, including those marked 'NV' (VIP customers). It may not be an official benefit, but it is available for Silvers. If Reservations say it's not possible, ask them to try it.

I certainly used to get the benefit as a UA*S, though they require prompting. Even now as a *G it has become a routine when I call to request seats:
"Can I book 5A/5F please?" (on the A320 trans-Tasman)
"I'm sorry sir, the furthest forward I can book you is x (usually about row 13)"
"I am *G so I should have access to the premium seats"
"Ah, so you are sir, 5A/5F it is"

I don't know if *G's show up differently on the res systems to NZ golds / gold elites / koru club members - I get the impression that is where the problem lies, and they have to look in a different place to see non-NZ *A status. It's the same with getting extra baggage allowance on domestic flights, they never pick it up without being told. Still it's only a minor irritation.

It's the same with getting extra baggage allowance on domestic flights, they never pick it up without being told. Still it's only a minor irritation.They often don't pick that up for NZ status customers and need reminding (along with a reminder to use priority tags).